سُورَةُ الْوَاقِعَةِ
Surah Al-Waqiah: Meaning, Themes, and Benefits of Recitation
Revelation
Revealed in Makkah
Verses
96 ayat
Surah No.
Surah 56
Juz
Juz 27
Understand the three groups described in Surah Al-Waqiah, its key themes about the Day of Judgment, and what hadith say about reciting it for provision.
What Is Surah Al-Waqiah?
Surah Al-Waqiah is the 56th chapter of the Quran, revealed in Makkah. It has 96 verses according to the Kufan count used most widely, though classical scholars from different cities counted 97 or 99. It sits in Juz 27 alongside Surah Ar-Rahman and Surah Al-Hadid.
The surah was among those the Prophet described as contributing to his graying hair, a statement that reflects its weight. It was revealed when the Quraysh were denying the resurrection, and the surah’s structure is essentially a detailed counter: if you deny that the dead will be raised, here is what the earth, the grain, the water, and fire that you take for granted actually tell you about God’s ability to create again.
The Three Groups in Surah Al-Waqiah
Verses 7 through 56 present the central division of the surah: humanity will be sorted into three groups on the Day of Judgment.
The Forerunners (As-Sabiqun): These are the people who are foremost, closest to Allah, the most righteous, the prophets and those who followed them in sincere faith. They will be in a very high place in Paradise. The Quran says most of them will be from the earlier generations and a few from the later ones, a statement understood to reflect the extraordinary sacrifice and commitment of the earliest believers.
The Companions of the Right (Ashab al-Yamin): This group forms the larger body of believers. They will receive the Quran’s account of what awaits them, shade, flowing water, and an existence without fatigue or deceit. The surah describes their reward in vivid terms, including companions of similar virtue and a state of peace.
The Companions of the Left (Ashab al-Shimal): These are the people who rejected the truth. Their account in the surah is equally specific, scorching wind, boiling water, the shade of black smoke, no coolness and nothing pleasant. The surah does not leave the details vague.
This three-way division is unique in the Quran, most passages speak of two groups, believers and disbelievers. The Forerunners as a distinct category reflects the Quran’s recognition that faith is not uniform, and that those who gave the most in faith and deed occupy a different standing.
Creation as Evidence for Resurrection
Verses 57 through 74 make one of the Quran’s clearest arguments for the possibility of resurrection by pointing to things the audience already accepts.
The human being was created from a drop of fluid, do you deny that? Then why do you find it impossible that God creates again? The grain that you plant, who causes it to grow? If God withheld that growth, you would be left staring at bare soil. The water you drink, who sends it down from clouds? It does not belong to you. The fire you strike from trees, who made the wood combustible?
Each example follows the same structure: here is something you rely on and take for granted; now tell me honestly whether you produced it yourself. The argument is that if a person cannot produce the basics of their own existence, the claim that God cannot restore what He made becomes difficult to hold.
The Narration About Surah Al-Waqiah and Rizq
A widely circulated narration states that the Prophet said: “Whoever recites Surah Al-Waqiah every night will never be afflicted by poverty.” This narration appears in Shu’ab al-Iman of al-Bayhaqi, attributed to Ibn Mas’ud. A related narration says Ibn Mas’ud instructed his daughters to recite this surah every night.
Hadith scholars have discussed the authenticity of the specific narration about poverty. Some classify it as weak due to issues in the chain of narrators. Others consider it acceptable for encouragement (fadha’il) purposes, given supporting narrations. The practice of reciting it regularly, especially at night, is widespread in Muslim communities and rooted in this tradition.
What matters to note is that even scholars who are cautious about the specific wording do not discourage the recitation, the general reward for Quran recitation is established without dispute. The practice is treated as encouraged rather than obligatory, and its connection to provision is understood as a means of drawing closer to God, not as a transaction.
What Surah Al-Waqiah Teaches About Gratitude
The surah returns repeatedly to a specific posture: take the things you benefit from every day and actually think about who produced them. This is not meant as a philosophical exercise, it is meant to produce gratitude that changes how a person lives.
Verse 70 asks: “If We willed, We could make it bitter, so why are you not grateful?” The question is addressed to the person who drinks fresh water. The same structure appears with the grain and the fire. In each case, the surah is not asking you to feel something vague, it is asking you to look at a specific thing and acknowledge where it comes from.
This framing explains why the surah has a connection to rizq in Islamic tradition. It is not that reciting it produces wealth mechanically, it is that the surah is fundamentally about recognizing where provision comes from and who controls it, which produces a relationship with God that includes gratitude, reliance, and acknowledgment.
Read the Complete Surah in Arabic
Here is the complete Arabic text of Surah Al-Waqiah, all 96 verses in the Uthmani script, each with transliteration, English translation, and Urdu translation, so you can read the entire chapter right here.
1 بِسْمِ ٱللَّهِ ٱلرَّحْمَٰنِ ٱلرَّحِيمِ إِذَا وَقَعَتِ ٱلْوَاقِعَةُ
56:1 Izaa waqa’atil waaqi’ah
When the Occurrence occurs,
جب قیامت قائم ہو جائے گی
2 لَيْسَ لِوَقْعَتِهَا كَاذِبَةٌ
56:2 Laisa liwaq’atihaa kaazibah
There is, at its occurrence, no denial.
جس کے واقع ہونے میں کوئی جھوٹ نہیں
3 خَافِضَةٌۭ رَّافِعَةٌ
56:3 Khafidatur raafi’ah
It will bring down [some] and raise up [others].
وه پست کرنے والی اور بلند کرنے والی ہوگی
4 إِذَا رُجَّتِ ٱلْأَرْضُ رَجًّۭا
56:4 Izaa rujjatil ardu rajjaa
When the earth is shaken with convulsion
جبکہ زمین زلزلہ کے ساتھ ہلا دی جائے گی
5 وَبُسَّتِ ٱلْجِبَالُ بَسًّۭا
56:5 Wa bussatil jibaalu bassaa
And the mountains are broken down, crumbling
اور پہاڑ بالکل ریزه ریزه کر دیے جائیں گے
6 فَكَانَتْ هَبَآءًۭ مُّنۢبَثًّۭا
56:6 Fakaanat habaaa’am mumbassaa
And become dust dispersing.
پھر وه مثل پراگنده غبار کے ہو جائیں گے
7 وَكُنتُمْ أَزْوَٰجًۭا ثَلَٰثَةًۭ
56:7 Wa kuntum azwaajan salaasah
And you become [of] three kinds:
اور تم تین جماعتوں میں ہو جاؤ گے
8 فَأَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْمَيْمَنَةِ مَآ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْمَيْمَنَةِ
56:8 Fa as haabul maimanati maaa as haabul maimanah
Then the companions of the right – what are the companions of the right?
پس داہنے ہاتھ والے کیسے اچھے ہیں داہنے ہاتھ والے
9 وَأَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْمَشْـَٔمَةِ مَآ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْمَشْـَٔمَةِ
56:9 Wa as haabul mash’amati maaa as haabul mash’amah
And the companions of the left – what are the companions of the left?
اور بائیں ہاتھ والے کیا حال ہے بائیں ہاتھ والوں کا
10 وَٱلسَّٰبِقُونَ ٱلسَّٰبِقُونَ
56:10 Wassaabiqoonas saabiqoon
And the forerunners, the forerunners –
اور جو آگے والے ہیں وه تو آگے والے ہی ہیں
11 أُو۟لَٰٓئِكَ ٱلْمُقَرَّبُونَ
56:11 Ulaaa’ikal muqarraboon
Those are the ones brought near [to Allah]
وه بالکل نزدیکی حاصل کیے ہوئے ہیں
12 فِى جَنَّٰتِ ٱلنَّعِيمِ
56:12 Fee Jannaatin Na’eem
In the Gardens of Pleasure,
نعمتوں والی جنتوں میں ہیں
13 ثُلَّةٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
56:13 Sullatum minal awwaleen
A [large] company of the former peoples
(بہت بڑا) گروه تو اگلے لوگوں میں سے ہوگا
14 وَقَلِيلٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلْءَاخِرِينَ
56:14 Wa qaleelum minal aa khireen
And a few of the later peoples,
اور تھوڑے سے پچھلے لوگوں میں سے
15 عَلَىٰ سُرُرٍۢ مَّوْضُونَةٍۢ
56:15 ‘Alaa sururim mawdoonah
On thrones woven [with ornament],
یہ لوگ سونے کے تاروں سے بنے ہوئے تختوں پر
16 مُّتَّكِـِٔينَ عَلَيْهَا مُتَقَٰبِلِينَ
56:16 Muttaki’eena ‘alaihaa mutaqabileen
Reclining on them, facing each other.
ایک دوسرے کےسامنے تکیہ لگائے بیٹھے ہوں گے
17 يَطُوفُ عَلَيْهِمْ وِلْدَٰنٌۭ مُّخَلَّدُونَ
56:17 Yatoofu ‘alaihim wildaa num mukkhalladoon
There will circulate among them young boys made eternal
ان کے پاس ایسے لڑکے جو ہمیشہ (لڑکے ہی) رہیں گے آمدورفت کریں گے
18 بِأَكْوَابٍۢ وَأَبَارِيقَ وَكَأْسٍۢ مِّن مَّعِينٍۢ
56:18 Bi akwaabinw wa abaareeq, wa kaasim mim ma’een
With vessels, pitchers and a cup [of wine] from a flowing spring –
آبخورے اور جگ لے کر اور ایسا جام لے کر جو بہتی ہوئی شراب سے پر ہو
19 لَّا يُصَدَّعُونَ عَنْهَا وَلَا يُنزِفُونَ
56:19 Laa yusadda’oona ‘anhaa wa laa yunzifoon
No headache will they have therefrom, nor will they be intoxicated –
جس سے نہ سر میں درد ہو نہ عقل میں فتور آئے
20 وَفَٰكِهَةٍۢ مِّمَّا يَتَخَيَّرُونَ
56:20 Wa faakihatim mimmaa yatakhaiyaroon
And fruit of what they select
اور ایسے میوے لیے ہوئے جو ان کی پسند کے ہوں
21 وَلَحْمِ طَيْرٍۢ مِّمَّا يَشْتَهُونَ
56:21 Wa lahmi tairim mimmaa yashtahoon
And the meat of fowl, from whatever they desire.
اور پرندوں کے گوشت جو انہیں مرغوب ہوں
22 وَحُورٌ عِينٌۭ
56:22 Wa hoorun’een
And [for them are] fair women with large, [beautiful] eyes,
اور بڑی بڑی آنکھوں والی حوریں
23 كَأَمْثَٰلِ ٱللُّؤْلُؤِ ٱلْمَكْنُونِ
56:23 Ka amsaalil lu’lu’il maknoon
The likenesses of pearls well-protected,
جو چھپے ہوئے موتیوں کی طرح ہیں
24 جَزَآءًۢ بِمَا كَانُوا۟ يَعْمَلُونَ
56:24 Jazaaa’am bimaa kaanoo ya’maloon
As reward for what they used to do.
یہ صلہ ہے ان کے اعمال کا
25 لَا يَسْمَعُونَ فِيهَا لَغْوًۭا وَلَا تَأْثِيمًا
56:25 Laa yasma’oona feehaa laghwanw wa laa taaseemaa
They will not hear therein ill speech or commission of sin –
نہ وہاں بکواس سنیں گے اور نہ گناه کی بات
26 إِلَّا قِيلًۭا سَلَٰمًۭا سَلَٰمًۭا
56:26 Illaa qeelan salaaman salaamaa
Only a saying: “Peace, peace.”
صرف سلام ہی سلام کی آواز ہوگی
27 وَأَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْيَمِينِ مَآ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلْيَمِينِ
56:27 Wa as haabul yameeni maaa as haabul Yameen
The companions of the right – what are the companions of the right?
اور داہنے ہاتھ والے کیا ہی اچھے ہیں داہنے ہاتھ والے
28 فِى سِدْرٍۢ مَّخْضُودٍۢ
56:28 Fee sidrim makhdood
[They will be] among lote trees with thorns removed
وه بغیرکانٹوں کی بیریوں
29 وَطَلْحٍۢ مَّنضُودٍۢ
56:29 Wa talhim mandood
And [banana] trees layered [with fruit]
اور تہ بہ تہ کیلوں
30 وَظِلٍّۢ مَّمْدُودٍۢ
56:30 Wa zillim mamdood
And shade extended
اور لمبے لمبے سایوں
31 وَمَآءٍۢ مَّسْكُوبٍۢ
56:31 Wa maaa’im maskoob
And water poured out
اور بہتے ہوئے پانیوں
32 وَفَٰكِهَةٍۢ كَثِيرَةٍۢ
56:32 Wa faakihatin kaseerah
And fruit, abundant [and varied],
اور بکثرت پھلوں میں
33 لَّا مَقْطُوعَةٍۢ وَلَا مَمْنُوعَةٍۢ
56:33 Laa maqtoo’atinw wa laa mamnoo’ah
Neither limited [to season] nor forbidden,
جو نہ ختم ہوں نہ روک لیے جائیں
34 وَفُرُشٍۢ مَّرْفُوعَةٍ
56:34 Wa furushim marfoo’ah
And [upon] beds raised high.
اور اونچے اونچے فرشوں میں ہوں گے
35 إِنَّآ أَنشَأْنَٰهُنَّ إِنشَآءًۭ
56:35 Innaaa anshaanaahunna inshaaa’aa
Indeed, We have produced the women of Paradise in a [new] creation
ہم نے ان کی (بیویوں کو) خاص طور پر بنایا ہے
36 فَجَعَلْنَٰهُنَّ أَبْكَارًا
56:36 Faja’alnaahunna abkaaraa
And made them virgins,
اور ہم نے انہیں کنواریاں بنا دیا ہے
37 عُرُبًا أَتْرَابًۭا
56:37 ‘Uruban atraabaa
Devoted [to their husbands] and of equal age,
محبت والیاں اور ہم عمر ہیں
38 لِّأَصْحَٰبِ ٱلْيَمِينِ
56:38 Li as haabil yameen
For the companions of the right [who are]
دائیں ہاتھ والوں کے لیے ہیں
39 ثُلَّةٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ
56:39 Sullatum minal awwa leen
A company of the former peoples
جم غفیر ہے اگلوں میں سے
40 وَثُلَّةٌۭ مِّنَ ٱلْءَاخِرِينَ
56:40 Wa sullatum minal aakhireen
And a company of the later peoples.
اور بہت بڑی جماعت ہے پچھلوں میں سے
41 وَأَصْحَٰبُ ٱلشِّمَالِ مَآ أَصْحَٰبُ ٱلشِّمَالِ
56:41 Wa as haabush shimaali maaa as haabush shimaal
And the companions of the left – what are the companions of the left?
اور بائیں ہاتھ والے کیا ہیں بائیں ہاتھ والے
42 فِى سَمُومٍۢ وَحَمِيمٍۢ
56:42 Fee samoominw wa hameem
[They will be] in scorching fire and scalding water
گرم ہوا اور گرم پانی میں (ہوں گے)
43 وَظِلٍّۢ مِّن يَحْمُومٍۢ
56:43 Wa zillim miny yahmoom
And a shade of black smoke,
اورسیاه دھوئیں کے سائے میں
44 لَّا بَارِدٍۢ وَلَا كَرِيمٍ
56:44 Laa baaridinw wa laa kareem
Neither cool nor beneficial.
جو نہ ٹھنڈا ہے نہ فرحت بخش
45 إِنَّهُمْ كَانُوا۟ قَبْلَ ذَٰلِكَ مُتْرَفِينَ
56:45 Innaahum kaanoo qabla zaalika mutrafeen
Indeed they were, before that, indulging in affluence,
بیشک یہ لوگ اس سے پہلے بہت نازوں میں پلے ہوئے تھے
46 وَكَانُوا۟ يُصِرُّونَ عَلَى ٱلْحِنثِ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
56:46 Wa kaanoo yusirroona ‘alal hinsil ‘azeem
And they used to persist in the great violation,
اور بڑے بڑے گناہوں پر اصرار کرتے تھے
47 وَكَانُوا۟ يَقُولُونَ أَئِذَا مِتْنَا وَكُنَّا تُرَابًۭا وَعِظَٰمًا أَءِنَّا لَمَبْعُوثُونَ
56:47 Wa kaanoo yaqooloona a’izaa mitnaa wa kunnaa turaabanw wa izaaman’ainnaa lamab’oosoon
And they used to say, “When we die and become dust and bones, are we indeed to be resurrected?
اور کہتے تھے کہ کیا جب ہم مر جائیں گے اور مٹی اور ہڈی ہو جائیں گے تو کیا ہم پھر دوباره اٹھا کھڑے کیے جائیں گے
48 أَوَءَابَآؤُنَا ٱلْأَوَّلُونَ
56:48 Awa aabaaa’unal awwaloon
And our forefathers [as well]?”
اور کیا ہمارے اگلے باپ دادا بھی؟
49 قُلْ إِنَّ ٱلْأَوَّلِينَ وَٱلْءَاخِرِينَ
56:49 Qul innal awwaleena wal aakhireen
Say, [O Muhammad], “Indeed, the former and the later peoples
آپ کہہ دیجئے کہ یقیناً سب اگلے اور پچھلے
50 لَمَجْمُوعُونَ إِلَىٰ مِيقَٰتِ يَوْمٍۢ مَّعْلُومٍۢ
56:50 Lamajmoo’oona ilaa meeqaati yawmim ma’loon
Are to be gathered together for the appointment of a known Day.”
ضرور جمع کئے جائیں گے ایک مقرر دن کے وقت
51 ثُمَّ إِنَّكُمْ أَيُّهَا ٱلضَّآلُّونَ ٱلْمُكَذِّبُونَ
56:51 summa innakum ayyuhad daaalloonal mukazziboon
Then indeed you, O those astray [who are] deniers,
پھر تم اے گمراہو جھٹلانے والو!
52 لَءَاكِلُونَ مِن شَجَرٍۢ مِّن زَقُّومٍۢ
56:52 La aakiloona min shaja rim min zaqqoom
Will be eating from trees of zaqqum
البتہ کھانے والے ہو تھوہر کا درخت
53 فَمَالِـُٔونَ مِنْهَا ٱلْبُطُونَ
56:53 Famaali’oona minhal butoon
And filling with it your bellies
اور اسی سے پیٹ بھرنے والے ہو
54 فَشَٰرِبُونَ عَلَيْهِ مِنَ ٱلْحَمِيمِ
56:54 Fashaariboona ‘alaihi minal hameem
And drinking on top of it from scalding water
پھر اس پر گرم کھولتا پانی پینے والے ہو
55 فَشَٰرِبُونَ شُرْبَ ٱلْهِيمِ
56:55 Fashaariboona shurbal heem
And will drink as the drinking of thirsty camels.
پھر پینے والے بھی پیاسے اونٹوں کی طرح
56 هَٰذَا نُزُلُهُمْ يَوْمَ ٱلدِّينِ
56:56 Haazaa nuzuluhum yawmad deen
That is their accommodation on the Day of Recompense.
قیامت کے دن ان کی مہمانی یہ ہے
57 نَحْنُ خَلَقْنَٰكُمْ فَلَوْلَا تُصَدِّقُونَ
56:57 Nahnu khalaqnaakum falaw laa tusaddiqoon
We have created you, so why do you not believe?
ہم ہی نے تم سب کو پیدا کیا ہے پھر تم کیوں باور نہیں کرتے؟
58 أَفَرَءَيْتُم مَّا تُمْنُونَ
56:58 Afara’aytum maa tumnoon
Have you seen that which you emit?
اچھا پھر یہ تو بتلاؤ کہ جو منی تم ٹپکاتے ہو
59 ءَأَنتُمْ تَخْلُقُونَهُۥٓ أَمْ نَحْنُ ٱلْخَٰلِقُونَ
56:59 ‘A-antum takhluqoo nahooo am nahnul khaaliqoon
Is it you who creates it, or are We the Creator?
کیا اس کا (انسان) تم بناتے ہو یا پیدا کرنے والے ہم ہی ہیں؟
60 نَحْنُ قَدَّرْنَا بَيْنَكُمُ ٱلْمَوْتَ وَمَا نَحْنُ بِمَسْبُوقِينَ
56:60 Nahnu qaddarnaa baina kumul mawta wa maa nahnu bimasbooqeen
We have decreed death among you, and We are not to be outdone
ہم ہی نے تم میں موت کو متعین کر دیا ہے اور ہم اس سے ہارے ہوئے نہیں ہیں
61 عَلَىٰٓ أَن نُّبَدِّلَ أَمْثَٰلَكُمْ وَنُنشِئَكُمْ فِى مَا لَا تَعْلَمُونَ
56:61 ‘Alaaa an nubaddila amsaalakum wa nunshi’akum fee maa laa ta’lamoon
In that We will change your likenesses and produce you in that [form] which you do not know.
کہ تمہاری جگہ تم جیسے اور پیدا کر دیں اور تمہیں نئے سرے سے اس عالم میں پیدا کریں جس سے تم (بالکل) بےخبر ہو
62 وَلَقَدْ عَلِمْتُمُ ٱلنَّشْأَةَ ٱلْأُولَىٰ فَلَوْلَا تَذَكَّرُونَ
56:62 Wa laqad ‘alimtumun nash atal oolaa falaw laa tazakkaroon
And you have already known the first creation, so will you not remember?
تمہیں یقینی طور پر پہلی دفعہ کی پیدائش معلوم ہی ہے پھر کیوں عبرت حاصل نہیں کرتے؟
63 أَفَرَءَيْتُم مَّا تَحْرُثُونَ
56:63 Afara’aytum maa tahrusoon
And have you seen that [seed] which you sow?
اچھا پھر یہ بھی بتلاؤ کہ تم جو کچھ بوتے ہو
64 ءَأَنتُمْ تَزْرَعُونَهُۥٓ أَمْ نَحْنُ ٱلزَّٰرِعُونَ
56:64 ‘A-antum tazra’oonahooo am nahnuz zaari’ooon
Is it you who makes it grow, or are We the grower?
اسے تم ہی اگاتے ہو یا ہم اگانے والے ہیں
65 لَوْ نَشَآءُ لَجَعَلْنَٰهُ حُطَٰمًۭا فَظَلْتُمْ تَفَكَّهُونَ
56:65 Law nashaaa’u laja’al naahu hutaaman fazaltum tafakkahoon
If We willed, We could make it [dry] debris, and you would remain in wonder,
اگر ہم چاہیں تواسے ریزه ریزه کر ڈالیں اور تم حیرت کے ساتھ باتیں بناتے ہی ره جاؤ
66 إِنَّا لَمُغْرَمُونَ
56:66 Innaa lamughramoon
[Saying], “Indeed, we are [now] in debt;
کہ ہم پر تو تاوان ہی پڑ گیا
67 بَلْ نَحْنُ مَحْرُومُونَ
56:67 Bal nahnu mahroomoon
Rather, we have been deprived.”
بلکہ ہم بالکل محروم ہی ره گئے
68 أَفَرَءَيْتُمُ ٱلْمَآءَ ٱلَّذِى تَشْرَبُونَ
56:68 Afara’aytumul maaa’allazee tashraboon
And have you seen the water that you drink?
اچھا یہ بتاؤ کہ جس پانی کو تم پیتے ہو
69 ءَأَنتُمْ أَنزَلْتُمُوهُ مِنَ ٱلْمُزْنِ أَمْ نَحْنُ ٱلْمُنزِلُونَ
56:69 ‘A-antum anzaltumoohu minal muzni am nahnul munziloon
Is it you who brought it down from the clouds, or is it We who bring it down?
اسے بادلوں سے بھی تم ہی اتارتے ہو یا ہم برساتے ہیں؟
70 لَوْ نَشَآءُ جَعَلْنَٰهُ أُجَاجًۭا فَلَوْلَا تَشْكُرُونَ
56:70 Law nashaaa’u ja’alnaahu ujaajan falaw laa tashkuroon
If We willed, We could make it bitter, so why are you not grateful?
اگر ہماری منشا ہو تو ہم اسے کڑوا زہر کردیں پھر تم ہماری شکرگزاری کیوں نہیں کرتے؟
71 أَفَرَءَيْتُمُ ٱلنَّارَ ٱلَّتِى تُورُونَ
56:71 Afara’aytumun naaral latee tooroon
And have you seen the fire that you ignite?
اچھا ذرا یہ بھی بتاؤ کہ جو آگ تم سلگاتے ہو
72 ءَأَنتُمْ أَنشَأْتُمْ شَجَرَتَهَآ أَمْ نَحْنُ ٱلْمُنشِـُٔونَ
56:72 ‘A-antum anshaatum shajaratahaaa am nahnul munshi’oon
Is it you who produced its tree, or are We the producer?
اس کے درخت کو تم نے پیدا کیا ہے یا ہم اس کے پیدا کرنے والے ہیں؟
73 نَحْنُ جَعَلْنَٰهَا تَذْكِرَةًۭ وَمَتَٰعًۭا لِّلْمُقْوِينَ
56:73 Nahnu ja’alnaahaa tazkira tanw wa mataa’al lilmuqween
We have made it a reminder and provision for the travelers,
ہم نے اسے سبب نصیحت اور مسافروں کے فائدے کی چیز بنایا ہے
74 فَسَبِّحْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
56:74 Fasabbih bismi Rabbikal ‘azeem
So exalt the name of your Lord, the Most Great.
پس اپنے بہت بڑے رب کے نام کی تسبیح کیا کرو
75 ۞ فَلَآ أُقْسِمُ بِمَوَٰقِعِ ٱلنُّجُومِ
56:75 Falaa uqsimu bimaawaa qi’innujoom
Then I swear by the setting of the stars,
پس میں قسم کھاتا ہوں ستاروں کے گرنے کی
76 وَإِنَّهُۥ لَقَسَمٌۭ لَّوْ تَعْلَمُونَ عَظِيمٌ
56:76 Wa innahoo laqasamul lawta’lamoona’azeem
And indeed, it is an oath – if you could know – [most] great.
اور اگرتمہیں علم ہو تو یہ بہت بڑی قسم ہے
77 إِنَّهُۥ لَقُرْءَانٌۭ كَرِيمٌۭ
56:77 Innahoo la quraanun kareem
Indeed, it is a noble Qur’an
کہ بیشک یہ قرآن بہت بڑی عزت واﻻ ہے
78 فِى كِتَٰبٍۢ مَّكْنُونٍۢ
56:78 Fee kitaabim maknoon
In a Register well-protected;
جو ایک محفوظ کتاب میں درج ہے
79 لَّا يَمَسُّهُۥٓ إِلَّا ٱلْمُطَهَّرُونَ
56:79 Laa yamassuhooo illal mutahharoon
None touch it except the purified.
جسے صرف پاک لوگ ہی چھو سکتے ہیں
80 تَنزِيلٌۭ مِّن رَّبِّ ٱلْعَٰلَمِينَ
56:80 Tanzeelum mir Rabbil’aalameen
[It is] a revelation from the Lord of the worlds.
یہ رب العالمین کی طرف سےاترا ہوا ہے
81 أَفَبِهَٰذَا ٱلْحَدِيثِ أَنتُم مُّدْهِنُونَ
56:81 Afabihaazal hadeesi antum mudhinoon
Then is it to this statement that you are indifferent
پس کیا تم ایسی بات کو سرسری (اور معمولی) سمجھ رہے ہو؟
82 وَتَجْعَلُونَ رِزْقَكُمْ أَنَّكُمْ تُكَذِّبُونَ
56:82 Wa taj’aloona rizqakum annakum tukazziboon
And make [the thanks for] your provision that you deny [the Provider]?
اور اپنے حصے میں یہی لیتے ہو کہ جھٹلاتے پھرو
83 فَلَوْلَآ إِذَا بَلَغَتِ ٱلْحُلْقُومَ
56:83 Falaw laaa izaa balaghatil hulqoom
Then why, when the soul at death reaches the throat
پس جبکہ روح نرخرے تک پہنچ جائے
84 وَأَنتُمْ حِينَئِذٍۢ تَنظُرُونَ
56:84 Wa antum heena’izin tanzuroon
And you are at that time looking on –
اور تم اس وقت آنکھوں سے دیکھتے رہو
85 وَنَحْنُ أَقْرَبُ إِلَيْهِ مِنكُمْ وَلَٰكِن لَّا تُبْصِرُونَ
56:85 Wa nahnu aqrabu ilaihi minkum wa laakil laa tubsiroon
And Our angels are nearer to him than you, but you do not see –
ہم اس شخص سے بہ نسبت تمہارے بہت زیاده قریب ہوتے ہیں لیکن تم نہیں دیکھ سکتے
86 فَلَوْلَآ إِن كُنتُمْ غَيْرَ مَدِينِينَ
56:86 Falaw laaa in kuntum ghira madeeneen
Then why do you not, if you are not to be recompensed,
پس اگر تم کسی کے زیرفرمان نہیں
87 تَرْجِعُونَهَآ إِن كُنتُمْ صَٰدِقِينَ
56:87 Tarji’oonahaaa in kuntum saadiqeen
Bring it back, if you should be truthful?
اور اس قول میں سچے ہو تو (ذرا) اس روح کو تو لوٹاؤ
88 فَأَمَّآ إِن كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُقَرَّبِينَ
56:88 Fa ammaaa in kaana minal muqarrabeen
And if the deceased was of those brought near to Allah,
پس جو کوئی بارگاه الٰہی سے قریب کیا ہوا ہوگا
89 فَرَوْحٌۭ وَرَيْحَانٌۭ وَجَنَّتُ نَعِيمٍۢ
56:89 Farawhunw wa raihaa nunw wa jannatu na’eem
Then [for him is] rest and bounty and a garden of pleasure.
اسے تو راحت ہے اور غذائیں ہیں اور آرام والی جنت ہے
90 وَأَمَّآ إِن كَانَ مِنْ أَصْحَٰبِ ٱلْيَمِينِ
56:90 Wa ammaaa in kaana min as haabil yameen
And if he was of the companions of the right,
اور جو شحص داہنے (ہاتھ) والوں میں سے ہے
91 فَسَلَٰمٌۭ لَّكَ مِنْ أَصْحَٰبِ ٱلْيَمِينِ
56:91 Fasalaamul laka min as haabil yameen
Then [the angels will say], “Peace for you; [you are] from the companions of the right.”
تو بھی سلامتی ہے تیرے لیے کہ تو داہنے والوں میں سے ہے
92 وَأَمَّآ إِن كَانَ مِنَ ٱلْمُكَذِّبِينَ ٱلضَّآلِّينَ
56:92 Wa ammaaa in kaana minal mukazzibeenad daaalleen
But if he was of the deniers [who were] astray,
لیکن اگر کوئی جھٹلانے والوں گمراہوں میں سے ہے
93 فَنُزُلٌۭ مِّنْ حَمِيمٍۢ
56:93 Fanuzulum min hameem
Then [for him is] accommodation of scalding water
تو کھولتے ہوئے گرم پانی کی مہمانی ہے
94 وَتَصْلِيَةُ جَحِيمٍ
56:94 Wa tasliyatu jaheem
And burning in Hellfire
اور دوزخ میں جانا ہے
95 إِنَّ هَٰذَا لَهُوَ حَقُّ ٱلْيَقِينِ
56:95 Inna haaza lahuwa haqqul yaqeen
Indeed, this is the true certainty,
یہ خبر سراسر حق اور قطعاً یقینی ہے
96 فَسَبِّحْ بِٱسْمِ رَبِّكَ ٱلْعَظِيمِ
56:96 Fasabbih bismi rabbikal ‘azeem
So exalt the name of your Lord, the Most Great.
پس تواپنے عظیم الشان پروردگار کی تسبیح کر
FAQ
Who are the Forerunners (As-Sabiqun) in Surah Al-Waqiah?
The Forerunners are described as the people foremost in faith and deed, closest to Allah. Scholars have identified them as prophets, the Companions of the Prophet, and those who excelled in following the faith in each era. The surah says most of them are from earlier generations, which is understood to reflect the unique sacrifices of the first Muslim community and the earlier ummahs of the prophets.
Is the hadith about reciting Surah Al-Waqiah for rizq authentic?
The narration is attributed to Ibn Mas’ud and appears in Shu’ab al-Iman of al-Bayhaqi. Scholars have differed on its grading, some consider the chain weak, while others accept it for fadha’il (encouragement for virtue) purposes. Reciting Surah Al-Waqiah regularly is a well-established practice; the specific promise about poverty should be understood in the context of seeking God’s blessing rather than as a guaranteed outcome.
Should Surah Al-Waqiah be recited at a specific time?
Based on the narration attributed to Ibn Mas’ud, reciting it every night is the widely recommended practice. The time before sleep or between Maghrib and Isha is commonly cited. There is no prohibition on reciting it at other times.
What does “Al-Waqiah” mean?
Al-Waqiah means “The Inevitable Event” and is one of the names for the Day of Judgment in the Quran. The name reflects the certainty of that Day, it is not a possibility or a warning conditional on behavior; it is something that will happen.
Why did the surah make the Prophet’s hair go gray?
The narration about the Prophet’s hair graying is attributed to several surahs, including Al-Waqiah, Al-Haqqa, Al-Mursalat, An-Naba, and others. The understanding is that these surahs describe the Day of Judgment in such vivid and weighty terms that carrying that awareness was physically felt. The Prophet was not frightened so much as he was deeply affected by the responsibility of the message.
Who are the Companions of the Left?
The Companions of the Left are those who rejected faith and lived in heedlessness. The surah describes their state in the afterlife as one of scorching wind, boiling water, and smoke without any shade or comfort. The designation “left” in Arabic carries a connotation of misfortune, contrasting with the “right” which carries blessings.
What creation signs does Surah Al-Waqiah mention?
Verses 57 through 74 point to human creation from a drop of fluid, grain that grows in soil, water sent down from clouds, and fire struck from green trees. Each is presented as an act that human beings did not produce independently, the point being that God’s ability to create is demonstrated by what He already creates around us constantly.
Why does Surah Al-Waqiah say “most of the Forerunners are from earlier generations”?
The statement in verse 14 that most of the Forerunners are from earlier generations is understood by scholars as referring to the extraordinary commitment and sacrifice of earlier believers, the Companions of the Prophet, and the communities of earlier prophets who endured severe persecution. A few from later generations means that the category is still open, but the bar reflected by those earlier generations was exceptionally high.
Can Surah Al-Waqiah be recited for a sick person?
Reciting Quran for a sick person is a permitted and practiced form of supplication in Islamic tradition. There is no specific narration linking Surah Al-Waqiah to healing, but general Quranic recitation with the intention of seeking God’s mercy for someone is accepted. Surah Al-Fatiha has the most specific narrations about being used as a ruqyah.
How many verses does Surah Al-Waqiah have?
The most widely used count is 96 verses, from the Kufan tradition. Classical scholars in Madinah, Makkah, and Sham counted 99, and the Basran count was 97. The difference is in how certain verse breaks are marked, not in the text itself.
Final Thoughts
Surah Al-Waqiah is a surah that refuses to let the Day of Judgment stay abstract. The three groups, the vivid descriptions of what awaits each, and the argument from grain and water and fire all serve one purpose: to make the reality of that Day felt right now. The connection to rizq in Islamic practice is not accidental, a person who genuinely understands that their provision comes from God, and that their account is being written, lives differently than one who does not. The next step is to read the creation-evidence section (verses 57–74) with a translation and let each example be as specific as it is intended to be. Which of the three groups described in this surah do you think most people in the world today would fall into, and why?
Continue reading
Next: Surah Yaseen, the heart of the Quran. Or browse every chapter on the Surah Guides hub.
Sources and further reading
- Surah Al-Waaqia on Quran.com, Arabic text with translations and tafsir resources
- Sunnah.com, searchable hadith collections for verifying narrations about the surahs
- Surah Al-Waaqia (Wikipedia), background and scholarly overview